Thursday, October 7, 2010

Daily Word: Meditating on the Hebrew Alphabet (Bet)

We are focusing on meditating on the Hebrew alphabet. Today, we consider the second letter, Bet. In ancient Hebrew Bet meant a tent or house. It is a three sided letter open to the left with a dot in the middle. The pictograph is of a house which symbolizes: (1) a physical house or building; (2) a body (house) of someone or something; (3) family, household; or (4) inside, within or amid. The dot represents one who lives within. When Jacob slept in the wilderness, he was certain he was alone. However, when he awoke, he had learned about Bet: "Surely G-d has been in this place, and I didn't even know it!" Bet reminds us that we are never really alone if we obey Elohim.

G-d has many houses: the house of being set apart (Bet Ha-Mikdash); the house of meeting and prayer (Bet Ha-Kenesset); and the house of searching and study (Bet Ha-Midrash). You can walk into Bet through the opening and you are at home. ADONAI wants us to be at home whether you are living set apart from the ways of the world, meeting and praying with others, or studying the Torah to find truth. The Hebrew word for blessing, i.e. Beracha, begins with Bet. It is true that it is a blessing to never be alone, to always know that ADONAI is watching over, and that you are a part of a community.

Today, consider the letter Bet. Meditate on the goodness of Elohim who is constantly with you. Remember you are part of a community that is separated from the world. However,know that with Bet, you are not afraid of the world because at any time you can walk into His house and be safe.

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